The talking machine world (Jan-June 1928)

R M A Meetings Held in New York Important Trade Matters Considered at Three-Day Sessions at the Hotel Pennsylvania, New York — Reports of the Committees THE Radio Manufacturers' Association held a three-day series of meetings at the Hotel Pennsylvania on January 24, 25 and 26, for the consideration of various problems of the industry. Discuss Patent Interchange At the opening session 200 members of the Association attended and discussed important matters, including broadcasting, technical engineering problems and the radio patent situation. Chief among the matters discussed was that of plans for a patent interchange system among manufacturers. A J. Carter, of Chicago, chairman of the RMA Patent Interchange Committee, has been working with his fellow committeemen and C. C. Hanch, father of the patent-pooling plan so successful in the automotive industry, for several months toward solution of the patent problem. Most of the RMA membership have submitted confidential information regarding their patent holdings to the committee with a view to the ultimate presentation of some plan for the removal of the vexatious patent situation. Mr. Carter submitted his report regarding the progress made by the committee, and after discussion by the members it was announced that the plan would be ready for formal presentation to the industry, as represented by the RMA, at the annual convention in June. Address Features Luncheon Meeting The regular monthly RMA luncheon followed the morning session and O. H. Caldwell, a member of the Federal Radio Commission, was the speaker. He explained the Commission's policy and detailed how it had aided the millions of American listeners as well as the radio industry. He also sketched how the Commission's work in clearing broadcasting channels and the prospective development of short wave broadcasts opened wider markets and promised still greater benefits in the use of radio. Mr. Caldwell explained why the Commission had not summarily closed down many broadcasting stations, and also its opening of channels to chain broadcasting. He registered himself as being opposed to any taxes on radio receiving sets or apparatus as unwise. The industry has developed, he said, because radio is free. Committee Meetings Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday was given over to meetings of various committees, including a number of gatherings of the Engineering Division, of which H. B.' Richmond is chairman; the RMA Parts Committee and the RMA Merchandising Committee, of which L. E. Noble, of Buffalo, is chairman. The Engineering Division, in order to aid the public in purchasing radio receiving sets, and to improve advertising and merchandising of radio products, prescribed definitions for "socket power" radio operation. The definitions for "socket power" and "electric" products are: " 'Socket powered' as applied to a receiving set, includes any set operated from a light socket or an alternating current, a direct current, or with a self-charging battery compartment." "The term 'electric set' to include only those sets operated from a light socket without the use of 'A' or 'B' batteries or wet cells of any description." Merchandising Policies Considered Important radio merchandising policies were considered by the Merchandising Committee. A survey of markets for all radio apparatus was approved by the Committee. Information from the Department of Commerce, the U. S. Chamber of Commerce and other organizations will be distributed, under the Committee's plan, to all RMA members to aid in the economic distribution of radio and the development of the wider markets opening. Standardization of manufacturers' catalog sheets and a movement to insure orders given for radio products also were approved. Another merchandising problem, that of financing instalment sales of radio, was discussed and the committee took steps to develop a uniform, economic plan for the financing of instalment paper. Board Plans Wider Activities Measures to broaden the activities of the Association and greatly extend its service to the radio public were adopted at the meeting of the RMA Board of Directors, presided over by President C. C. Colby on Thursday. A movement toward improved advertising of radio products, to prevent confusion on the part of the public and toward correction of trade practices was ordered by the board, in co-operation with the radio retailer and jobber through the Federated Radio Trades Association. The board directed the Engineering Division to present at the next meeting definitions of the various "socket power" types of sets for the guidance of the public, in advertising and merchandising. The engineering definitions were deemed by the board to need further definition to assist the purchaser. The suggestion of the Merchandising Committee regarding a survey of markets and its plan for standard catalog sheets were adopted by the board. Other plans adopted included the establishment of a traffic bureau for RMA members, in charge of a traffic expert, with a view to lower freight and express rates, and the establishment throughout the country of vocational training courses in public, technical and other schools. Report on June RMA Trade Show Marked progress in plans for the Second Annual Trade Show and the Fourth Annual Convention of the RMA at Chicago next June was reported by Major H. H. Frost, Show Committee Chairman. The board of directors voted its full co-operation and support to Messrs. Hermann and Irwin, managers of the Trade Show and Annual Radio World's Fair. It was reported that more than half of the 30,000 square feet of available space at the Trade Show has already been taken by RMA members The directors voted to hold their next meeting at Buffalo, N. Y., early in March. Fred W. Peabody, Inc., of Newburyport Incorporated Boston, Mass., January 17. — Among the corporations registered at the State House within the past few days is that of Fred W. Peabody, Inc., of Newburyport, which plans to manufacture and import pianos and phonographs. The capital is $20,000 and the incorporators William K. Peabody and Lena L. Peabody, both of Haverhill, and Percy J. Simmons of Amesbury. The name of Fred W. Peabody has been identified in an active way with the music business for a number of years. United Labs, in New Home United Scientific Laboratories, Inc., manufacturers of radio apparatus, recently moved into new quarters at 113-19 Fourth avenue, New York City, where they occupy the entire sixth floor. Their new home has a floor space of 13,500 square feet, about 2^2 times the floor space occupied in their old place of business. This move to enlarged quarters was necessitated by increased demand for United Scientific and Pierce-Airo products. Columbia Shop Chartered The Columbia Music Shop, Buffalo, N. Y., has been incorporated by N. Rovner, to engage in a general music business with a capital stock of $25,000. The Flint & Brickett Co., Springfield, Mass., recently opened a music department, carrying a complete line of talking machines and other musical instruments. Investigate the New ABC CONVERTER J .on Ac t Leads the W orld in Converting Receiver Sets that Operate from D. C. Power to A. C. Poiver. The Acme ABC Converter enables anyone to bring their D. C. set up-to-date and operate on ordinary House current. (A.C.) It's easy to do. Take out the present tubes, inserting the adapters on the Acme Harness. Insert the A.C. Tubes and you have the latest type receiver on the market. The Acme ABC Converter is supplied in two models — Type ABC-5 for R. C. A. Tubes or Cunningham A. C. Tubes using a voltage of U/o — 2l/2 and 5 volts, and Type ABC-15 for Arcturus Tubes which require 15 volts. The "A" transformer windings of Type ABC-5 are designed to carry the required load. The "B" Unit delivers 40 milliamperes at 180 volts and the filter circuit employed is the double brute force type which gives maximum filtration with the lowest possible losses. A "C" voltage of 45 volts is furnished in this unit. If required, a converter cable or harness is supplied to make a quick and easy changeover. Mounted in an attractive steel container, lY^" high, 11" long and 5" wide. Designed to operate on 50-60 cycles at 110 volts, any other frequency may be had upon request. Order through your Jobber today and bring TYPE ABC-5 List Price 534.50 List Price Tube (Additional) 5.00 Western Price Slightly Higher Harness will be furnished if required. This unit is for 226 and 227 Tubes. TYPE ABC-15 List Price $34.50 List Price Tube (Additional) 5.00 Western Price Slightly Higher This unit is for Arcturus Tubes — no harness required. your Receiving Sets up-to-date THE ACME ELECTRIC and MANUFACTURING COMPANY. 1438 Hamilton Avenue Cleveland, Ohio 42